The Janesville Craig girls swimming team finished its Big Eight Conference dual meet season with 111-59 victory over Madison East on Tuesday night.

“We finished 4-5, which is great considering the conference we’re in,” said Craig coach Brian Kitzman. “All five teams that beat us are ranked in the top 10 in the state.”

Six different individuals won events for the Cougars.

“Our times were a little off tonight, but I think the way we swam our races was a good sign,” Kitzman said. “They are really tired right now, but they are swimming good races. When we do rest them, the times should be great.”

Craig is off until the Big Eight Conference meet at Beloit High School on Saturday, Nov. 2.

PARKER, LA FOLLETTE TIE 85-85--The Vikings finished in a tie with Madison La Follette in the final Big Eight dual meet of the season.

Freshman Kristin Cunningham, the granddaughter of former long-time Parker coach Dick Lambrecht, competed in the junior varsity 500 freestyle for the first time all season.

“When she came out this year she had never swam competitively,” Bartel said. “At the start, she could not even finish a 50 freestyle. It was a struggle.

“I tell the girls each season that every person is going to swim the 500 sometime during the season.”

Tuesday was that day for Cunningham. She finished in 6:41, which would have been good enough for fifth place in the varsity meet and would have given the Vikings the deciding point.

“She found her niche,” Bartel said of Cunningham. “We were so excited for her. That is what this sport is all about. We work with them throughout the season, and they can pull out these ridiculous times. I’m so proud of her.”

Jana Burner put her name on Parker’s career top-10 board with her time of 1:07.88 in the 100 butterfly. The Vikings also swept the top three finishes in the 50 freestyle, led by Hailey Leisten’s 26.85.

The Vikings swim in the Big Eight Conference meet at Beloit on Saturday, Nov. 2.